Compiled by BR Kellie
With summer on its way our thoughts are turning to baring our lily white limbs... except we'd quite like them to have some colour, but not the kind of colour that comes from soaking up the sun and giving ourselves a potential case of the cancer. No, if we're letting our limbs loose on the world we're fans of fake tanning them first. So what are New Zealand Top Ten Tanning products* as rated by you?... Check these out!
1. Bondi Sands Self Tanning Foam
They say: Enriched with Aloe Vera and Coconut, this lightweight, self- tanning foam will leave your skin looking like you’ve spent the day at Bondi Beach. Simply smooth on for an even, streak-free tan. Perfect for those with a light-medium complexion.
You say: This product is a dream come true for pale skinned girls!! I can't recommend this product enough. It was super easy to apply and applied evenly and smoothly with no hassle. The smell is absolutely amazing and once washed off it didn't transfer onto my white sheets (thank the tanning gods). I have already recommended this product to all my pale skin friends. - Review Expert: shaylarive
2. St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse
They say: St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse has been specially developed with ingredients which help to create an instant bronzing effect, providing you with a perfect all over professional tan.
You say: I'm not a fan of tanning products, I love my own natural glowing skin but this product I decided to give a try as I did see it on sale at a Farmers in town. I must say wow it brang out 100% of my natural glow without the moisturizers. Love the product. Also so affordable for the quality of the product. - Review Expert: -LIANA-
3. Sugar Baby Golden Glamour Salon Style Instant Self Tan Spray
They say: From Hollywood to the Hampton’s there’s no sunshine in sight. We’ve got the answer to a glorious golden year-round glow with SUGAR BABY'S salon style spray on tan. It goes on as a fine mist, putting an end to uneven coverage, leaving skin with a smooth natural all-over believably bronzed tan. No more streaking – just sun kissed golden skin fragranced with our custom SUGAR BABY sweeter than summer scent.
You say: One of my favourite self-tan sprays. Never had a problem with it! I first used it a few years now and I love it. I love the colour of it, it's like a golden glow, and I've never had problems with orangeness or streaking. I find it looks really natural and it's so easy to apply - it goes on so evenly. The bottle also lasts me quite a while, I can get quite a few tans from it. It does have a slight smell the day after you apply it, but nothing nasty or unbearable. - Review Expert: tamaraxo
4. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs
They say: Now you can give your legs a makeover in just seconds. No sun. No salon. No streaks. Just flawless-looking, irresistible, sexy legs. This lightweight leg makeup, enriched with Palmaria Extract, enhances the coverage of freckles, veins and imperfections. It’s water and transfer resistant. Bare legs are nice. Airbrush Legs are irresistible
You say: This stuff is absolute magic for us who are not blessed with naturally olive skin. Makes legs look flawless! So good to have on back up if something last minute pops up that you have not been able to tan for. - Beauty Review Member: michellelovesmakeup
5. Sugar Baby Ready Set Glow Tinted Self Tan Cream
They say: Get your glow on, instantly, with SUGAR BABY'S Tinted Self Tan Cream. With its tinted formula you can not only see where you have applied, but skin is left with a luminous bronze glow, whilst you develop a deeper, long lasting bronze tan within hours.
You say: This self tan cream is really great for beginners. As a moisturizer it's easy to apply and gives you an even glow. You can also leave time between applications to see whether you're tan enough. The only results being a nice tan and super soft skin! - Review Expert: JessB
6. Oasis Beauty Super Tan
They say: Saving the day by creating a holiday glow all year round! Use daily to gradually build up to your perfect natural colour - lasting up to 5 days, while keeping your glorious tanned bod beautifully moisturised with jojoba, vitamin E, and calendula. Super Tan provides a light instant colour so no waiting, staining or streaks. Even better, it comes in the handy size of 150ml.
You say: I don't tan, never have so have tried numerous tanning products. I tried this one. What I loved was the instant colour. Normally you wait over night and hope you e done it right, in the morning you find out. But with this you get instant colour then over night it gradually darkens. The first time I put on two layers and realised I only needed one layer. The smell was good too, not strong. It was easy to apply especially with the special glove. - Beauty Review Expert: Rachaelkeach
7. Trilogy Instant Bronzing Gel
They say: Enjoy a safe, natural and easy to apply bronze glow with TRILOGY Instant Bronzing Gel; a quick-drying tanning gel. Use once for an instant golden glow or daily to build a bronze tan lasting 2-3 days. Caramel from cane sugar provides instant colour and glow while the natural self-tanning ingredient works with your skin to develop a natural looking tan.
You say: Love this! I'm a huge fan of it being a slightly more natural product as self tan is something I wear alot of in summer. It has a pleasant scent, and is easy to use. Only downside I found is it dries very very quickly so had to work fast with it. Gives a great golden non yellow tone that is easy to build up over a few days. Makes me feel fabulous and girlie with a bit of a tan!!! - Beauty Review Expert: Helen_Maree
8. Le Tan Foaming Mousse Self Tan
They say: The extremely light foam is the easiest to use, spreading evenly over your body to ensure a natural looking, streak free tan. Containing a gentle caramel tint, Le Tan Foaming Mousse can instantly be seen as you apply to ensure no spots get left behind.
You say: I really liked the colour of the tan once i applied it, took on a nice natural appeal. It took approximately 30 minutes for my tan to appear, which allows you to begin with your tan while applying your makeup. Easy to apply, i liked how it is foam however using a cream in comparison does give a more even effect. I have applied the foam with a moisturiser as well and I still found I got the results I was after. - Beauty Review Member: hitchman
9. L'Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Smoothing Gel
They say: L'OREAL Paris Sublime Bronze Self Tanning Smoothing Gel has a non-greasy texture with Vitamin E for an even result and beautiful, natural-looking tan. Sublime Bronze is specially formulated with an AHA derivative to help smooth the skin - an important factor in achieving an even-looking result. It's also enriched with Vitamin E to help soften and comfort the skin.
You say: This is a great product particularly in the gel form. It glides on and blends easily so no need for a mitt. It produces a natural golden colour which does not look fake or orange. This is one of my favourite fake tan products and on a price to quality ratio, one of the best. Beauty Review Member: CJM
10. ModelCo SUPERTAN Instant Self Tan
They say: Introducing ModelCo SUPERTAN Instant Self Tan – SUPERTAN is the first of its kind to combine the instant benefits of a self-tanner and the gradual benefits of intelligent ingredient Melatime ®, a tanning accelerating peptide that helps you to ‘naturally’ achieve a darker tan as it works on increasing the body’s Melanin. The tinted, lightweight formula delivers an instant, intense bronze glow for a streak-free application, while the unique self-tanner develops & intensifies, leaving you with your richest, longest-lasting tan yet.
You say: I liked this product, it smelled good both during application and while the tan is developing. I have medium toned skin and found the colour on application really dark (which was great for an instant tan on an evening out) and the end result was a good natural colour. I followed the directions carefully and still ended up with dark patches on my knees and the odd streak, but I put it down to the need to perfect my application skills! I loved that it survived a night of dancing and didn't transfer onto my sheets afterward. - Beauty Review Member: Julwoo1
So there you have it - The Top Ten Self Tanners in New Zealand, as rated by New Zealand's largest independent beauty review website. Did your favourite make the list?
*All products have a minimum of 20 reviews submitted against them and a rating of at least 4/5.
Always bondi sands for me! Gotta apply with a mitt too- and make sure you moisturise and exfoliate when it isn't looking so great